Prison Break star Wentworth
Miller has declined an invitation to the St. Petersburg International Film
Festival saying that as a gay man he disapproves of the Russian government's
crackdown on homosexuals.
Miller had been invited to appear
as a guest of honor at the festival. "As a gay man, I must decline, he
said.
The actor, 41, whose sexual
orientation has been the subject of speculation in the past, came out in a
letter he sent on Wednesday to festival organizers.
Wentworth's letter, which is
posted on GLAAD's website, thanks festival organizers for an invitation but
states "I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment
of gay men and women by the Russian government."
"Wentworth's bold show of
support sends a powerful message to LGBT Russians, who are facing extreme
violence and persecution: you are not alone," said a statement from GLAAD
representative Wilson Cruz, who is also an actor (My So-Called Life).
Miller's announcement comes amid
international condemnation of Russia's recent crackdown on homosexuals.
Stringent new laws prescribe fines for people accused of spreading
"propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors. Gay pride
rallies are banned, as is the adoption of Russian-born children by same-sex
couples. And foreign visitors suspected of being gay can now be detained for up
to 15 days, which has raised concerns worldwide as Russia prepares to host the
2014 Winter Olympics.
source :USA today
source :USA today
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